MyFitnessPal has acquired Cal AI, the viral calorie app built by teens | TechCrunch

"Cal AI is the AI calorie counting app startup built by two high school teenagers that soared to over 15 million downloads and over $30 million in annual revenue in under two years, MyFitnessPal tells TechCrunch."

"The Cal AI app will remain independent, with its same ease-of-use mission: estimating calories by taking pictures of food. One upgrade for Cal AI users has occurred already since the deal closed in December: the AI app has now been integrated with MFP's monster huge nutrition database. That database spans 20 million foods, 68,500 brands, and meals served at 380+ restaurant chains."

"We watch the entire competitor suite, which, he said, encompasses some 70 competitors big and small. They definitely caught our eye, I would say, early last year, and we have been talking to them ever since, on and off."

MyFitnessPal completed its acquisition of Cal AI after nearly a year of negotiations. Cal AI, founded by teenagers Zach Yadegari and Henry Langmack, achieved 15 million downloads and $30 million in annual revenue within two years. The seven-person Cal AI team, including co-founder CEO Yadegari, was retained by MyFitnessPal. Cal AI remains independent with its core mission of estimating calories through food photography. The acquisition integrated Cal AI with MyFitnessPal's nutrition database containing 20 million foods, 68,500 brands, and meals from 380+ restaurant chains. Deal terms were undisclosed, though MyFitnessPal CEO Mike Fisher indicated the Cal AI team was satisfied with the offer. Fisher noted the acquisition took considerable perseverance, with MyFitnessPal monitoring Cal AI's rise through app store rankings and competitor analysis tools.

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